An IDF soldier was documented on Monday as he violently attacked a Palestinian Arab in Hebron, pushed him to the sidewalk and kicked him. The incident was seen by foreign journalists.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said that, following an inquiry into the incident, it was decided to punish the soldier and sentence him to ten days in military prison.
“Earlier today, an IDF soldier who was guarding a military post in Hebron asked a Palestinian who approached the post to step away,” the IDF said in a statement.
“In response, the Palestinian began recording and cursing the soldier. A verbal confrontation followed, which soon became a physical confrontation, during which the soldier hit the Palestinian.”
Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, the IDF International Spokesperson, said, “As the video shows, the soldier did not act as expected and did not follow the IDF code of conduct. The IDF will not hesitate, despite provocations, to preserve its ethics and morals.”
The IDF statement said that, following an initial inquiry, the soldier was sentenced to ten days in military prison, and will be suspended from active combat duty. After serving his punishment, his service in his current unit will be examined.
The Palestinian Arab was injured and refused medical treatment from IDF soldiers who were dispatched to the scene.